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Gates Underwater Products has announced the release of a Point of View (POV) housing system for the Panasonic AG-HMR10 Recorder and AG-HCK10 Camera. The housing and recorder can be separated by up to sixty feet of cable, making the system ideal for pole cam or shy critter filming. POV systems also give a unique filming perspective, as well advantages in terms of bulk, size and weight.

Drew Wong has posted part one of his report on the Wetpixel Ocean Safari (aka Sardine Run) 2010. The run is still posing more question than answers for the scientific community, and it’s increasing popularity is creating problems. Drew expresses his concerns about the proliferation of new operators with limited experience, and notes that there have been at least 3 injuries on divers caused by sharks during the run over the years.

Drew also lays claim to the dubious honor of being the first diver to have been mistaken as a sardine by a diving gannet!

Panasonic announces the world’s first 3D camcorder, the HDC-SDT750k. This camcorder shoots 1080/60p at 28mbps AVCHD video in 3D using an accessory lens which projects 2 images to the sensor. Both images are recorded as a single stream and thus there is no post processing needed. There is no pricing announced as yet.

Chris Palmer’s book: “Shooting in the Wild” is about the ethics of the wildlife filmmaking business and the drawing of proper boundaries, and as such has a real impact on still nature photography as well. As nature films and TV shows proliferate and become profitable, there is little external regulation of what is ethically allowable. The advent of a culture that seeks instant gratification and demands sensationalism and risk taking as a part of entertainment, has encouraged unscrupulous film editors to bend (and increasingly break) the rules that might suggest that the animals and environment’s well-being is paramount. Chris Palmer’s mission with this book is to attempt to challenge this. Palmer is a veteran film producer and educator, with twenty-five years of experience and over 300 hours of original programming in a rapidly changing industry.

Panasonic has announced the release of the LX5 compact camera, which will replace the popular LX3. The new camera has an upgraded sensor, featuring a 1/1.63” 10mp unit for improved dynamic range. The lens is now a 24-90mm f2.0-3.3 and the cameras control system is changed to a clickable control wheel, like that on the GF1. The new camera is also able to shoot HD video in an AVCHD lite format.

An agreement has been reached protecting 57.8 acres of critical habitat for the endangered West Indian (Florida) manatee. This took over two years, and involved many different individuals as well as private and government bodies. More than 150 manatees assemble within the warm springs of the area, known as Three Sisters Springs, for calving and feeding during the winter months and during critical cold weather periods.

The protected area will be owned by the city of Crystal River and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will manage the site as part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

David Houghton, the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Vice President of Conservation Programs said:

“Today, the future of the West Indian manatee is more secure and the economic future of Crystal River brighter because a diverse group of individuals and organizations rallied around a common vision.”

Panasonic has announced the imminent release of a 3D interchangeable lens for the LUMIX G series micro four thirds system. Previously, 3D shooting has only been possible by either using a panorama system or a combination of two lenses and two CCDs. The new lens features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, which can be processed by a 3D image processing system. This claims to allow easier handling and produces 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects.

Panasonic plans to have the lens available for sale before the end of 2010.

Eric Cheng is currently in Playa del Carmen, Mexico with the Wetpixel Cenotes and Whale Sharks trip. He has started the customary thread in the forum, where he (and others) will be reporting back and posting pictures and video from the field. Eric has a new housed 3D camcorder set up with him, so be sure to grab your 3D spectacles!

Eric and the team are exploring the Cenotes of the Riviera Maya, before moving on to Isla Mujeres on Friday for some whale shark aggregation action.

Wetpixel’s Alex Mustard reviews Leak Insure, a product designed to help protect our cameras at times of peril and shares his experience of the dreaded f-word: FLOOD!

Leak Insure sachets look similar to standard silica gel packets, but combine both the properties of a desiccant with that of a sponge, soaking up minor leaks (up to 400 times their weight in water), buying us more time to save delicate electronics.